Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[F Gump]

Or take on Gafford in a deal for Mathurin and be about $2.2mm under.  Beal and Strus kind of cover the positional need.
BTW, 9/1 is the guarantee date for Cisse's first $1.09mm.

I don't think there's any realistic chance the Mavs are hoping to trade Gaff. The likelihood that Lively's availability is going to be iffy makes Gaff's veteran presence a key piece. imo

Cisse's 9/1 date is interesting (as is the 10/1 full gtee date), but I don't think either will be a real consideration all that much to them. I think 9/1 will pass without notice in Mavs HQ. That's because I believe they classify him as easy to either give away at any time (and perhaps get a SRP in return) or waive and see him claimed. In either scenario it ends up the same as if they waive before 9/1, with no payroll or cap cost, so they can wait all the way to opening day if they wish before deciding on how to resolve the 16th man. And ultimately they may decide the best choice is to keep him, who knows.